Nectarine tree &#34;Spring Glo&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine, Prunus persica, tree; its novelty consists of the following unique combination of features that are desirable in a new variety: 
     1. Early maturity of medium size fruit. 
     2. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality. 
     3. Fruit with firm flesh, good handlng and shipping quality. 
     4. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     5. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 
     6. Fruit with a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 350 hours. 
     7. Having a vigorous, upright growth habit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree was originated in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a first generation crossbetween two selected seedlings with field identification numbers 31EB232and 94ED118. The maternal parent (31EB232) originated from a cross of aseedling of open pollinated Ruby Gold Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,101) with a selected seedling from a cross of Sun Red Nectarine(non-patented) with Tasty Gold Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,623).The paternal parent (94ED118) originated as a selected seedlingfrom across of Rhone Gold Nectarine (non-patented) with a high colorednectarine seedling of unknown parentage. A large group of these firstgeneration seedlings were grown and maintained under careful and closeobservation, one low chilling seedling which is the present variety,having especially desirable fruit characteristics, was selected forasexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was asexually reproducedby budding in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.,which shows that all characteristics of the tree and fruit run true toform and are established and transmitted through succeeding asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and is a productive and regular bearer ofmedium size, early maturing, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with goodflavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by beingrelatively uniform in size throughout the tree, having a high degree ofattractive red skin color, and having firm flesh with good handling andshipping quality. The tree is further characterized by having a lowwinter chilling requirement of approximately 350 hours below 45°Fahrenheit and, in comparison to the low chilling May Glo Nectarine(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245), the fruit is approximately 7 days earlierin maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens ofthe foliage and fruit of the new nectarine tree, with the upper andlower surface of the leaves being shown, an exterior and sectional viewof a fruitdivided in the suture plane to show flesh coloration, pitcavity and a stone remaining in place. The photograph was taken atmaturity (firm ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit asbased on observations of specimen grown near Modesto, Calif., with colordefinitions (except those in common terms) referenced to Reinhold ColorAtlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Form.--Upright.

Production.--Productive.

Density.--Medium dense.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to large.

Surface.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown (5-D-3) to (5-E-4).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth to medium rough.

Lenticels.--Medium number. Large size.

Color.--Light brown to brown (5-D-6) to (5-E-6).

Leaves:

Size.--Medium to large. Average length 51/2". Average width 11/2".

Form.--Lanceolate, pointed.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Smooth.

Thickness.--Medium.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Reniform. Number varies from 1 to 4. Average number 2. Mediumsize. Located on upper portion of petiole and lower portion of leafblade.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to dark green (28-F-6) to (28-F-8). Lowersurface -- dull green to grayish green (28-E-5) to (28-E-7).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium to large.

Form.--Plump.

Length.--Medium.

Flowers:

Size.--Large, showy.

Pollen.--Present, self fertile.

Color.--Pink.

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom: Feb. 20, 1994. Date of fullbloom: Feb. 25, 1994. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--May 21, 1994.

Date of last picking.--May 26, 1994.

Size.--Medium. Average diameter axially 21/2". Average transversely insuture plane 21/2".

Form.--Globose, nearly symmetrical.

Suture.--Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Nearly rounded.

Apex.--Varies from round to slight apical point.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded, slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth3/8". Average breadth 3/4".

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm.

Juice.--Moderate.

Fibers.--Few, small, tender.

Aroma.--Very little.

Flavor.--Good.

Eating quality.--Good.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Color.--Light yellow to yellow (3-A-5) to (3-A-7). Pit cavity, dullyellow to grayish yellow (3-A-2) to (3-A-5).

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Tough, tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--Very slight.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--Yellow ground color (3-A-6) to (4-A-6). Overspread with red(9-C-8) to (9-D-8).

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Medium to large. Average length 13/8". Average width 11/16".Average thickness 5/8".

Form.--Varies from ovate to obovate.

Base.--Rounded.

Sides.--Equal to unequal.

Apex.--Usually pointed, varies from pointed to rounded.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Color.--Light brown to brown (6-B-4) to (6-D-4).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slightdetail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of medium size, earlymaturing, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with good flavor and eatingquality; the tree is further characterized by having a low chillingrequirement of approximately 350 hours, producing fruit with anattractive red skin color and has firm flesh with good handling andshipping quality, in comparison to the fruit of the May Glo Nectarine(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245), the fruit is approximately 7 days earlierin maturity.